Signal



May 26, 1942.

s. H. CALDWELL SIGNAL Filed June 19, 19:59

FIG. 2.

'f TuAn-r BY L r ATroRNEY Patented May 26, 1942 UETED STAT.

serrag rice SIGNAL I Stuart H. Caldwell, Detroit, Mich., assgnor to Kelch Heater Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan vtvvlf'wafin June 19, 1939, 'Serial Nogziaeai 6 Claims. 177-324) i 5 been proposed to signal the operator of a motor vehic1e,ior the like, by transmitting a tactual` signal to a portion of 'his anatomy.V The present application is a continuation in part of my copendin'g application, Serial No. 98,810, filed August 3l, 1936, which issued January 2, 1940, asn

Patent No. 2,185,329.

They present Ainvention contemplates an improved foot pedal, such vfor example as the accelerator pedal of an automobile. The pedal is modified from ordinary construction by the provision of an aperture through the relatively heavy metallic frame, usually found therein. The signal takes the rform of meansfor transmitting hammer blows or impulses to the lfoot of an operator-through the aperture referred to.

It has been found convenient to'employ a sole'- noid as the motor for originating the'signal, although, as will be evident, any convenient source of energy could be utilized. 1 i

Various refinements of the broad idea are contemplated, as for example, the provision of a relatively light small plate preferably imbedded in the rubber tread `normally secured to the frame of the pedal. This plate may becompletely imbedded within the rubber tread, or it may be imbedded in the upper surfaceof'the rubber tread, having its upper surface ush with the upper surface of the rubber tread.

One of the essential objects ofthe invention is to provide safety equipment of a compact naj?,

ture vwherein warning impulses may be transmitted to a resilient tread of an accelerator Vpedal by means of a bell cranl; lever extending lthrough the frame of the pedal and actuable by a solenoid disposed upon the underside ofthe f is economical to manufacture, easy to install, and that is positive and reliable in operation. i

lIt is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved tactual signal comprising a pedal having an apertured main frame or body member for use; with a signal ofthe type de-V scribed;

It isa further object of the present invention to provide in combination, an apertured pedal member and a resiliently supported plate adjacent the aperture in the pedal member.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as thedescription proceeds, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figurel is a side elevation, partly in section,A

of a preferred embodiment of ,myinventiom Figurer 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of yet another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of yet another i embodiment of my invention; and? Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, of a foot pedal attached to a control rod and mounted on the floor board of an automobile. w

In all ofthe illustrated embodiments, I have chosen to -show a foot pedal of the type normally employed in automotive vehicles as an accelerator pedal.` Pedals of this type are normally pivoted at their rear end and have conlnected to their forward end a link or other conpedal with the axis of the solenoid substantially parallel to the frame of the pedal.Y

Another object is to provide equipment of the type mentioned wherein the frame and re- Y silient tread of the pedal are fixed or :bonded to ff' one another and wherein the bell crank lever extending through the frame of the pedal is capable of impartingwith increased intensity and effectiveness the warning impulses to the resilient tread of the pedal. Y

Another object is to provide equipment Wherein the parts are so constructed and arranged that the minimum of power is necessary for its operation.

Another object is to provide equipment that nection for actuation .ofv the throttle of a motor.-

The present invention is adapted to cooperate with a pedal of this type to impartl a Ysensible signal tothe foot of theoperator in a manner adaptedfto call hisiatttention to some condition, such for example as the speed of the vehicle. .Itis desirable in vsignals of this type to provide for attracting the attention of the driver without in any way distracting hisv attention from4 his duties as driver of the vehicle. A tactual signal is preferred for this reason to the type of signal which involves a light, or an audible signal. vAsV will be readily apparent, flashing on of a light serves to distract the drivers attention-from the road, and in additionis annoying to-ether occupants of the car besides the driver. Substantially the same objections apply to an audible signal, such as a bell or buzzer.

I t is further essential that a speed signal shall in no way interfere with the normal operation essential to the safety of the Vdriver to con-V tinue above a predetermined speed, or even to accelerate for short periods. Y

The present invention is well adapted to fulll figure I have illustrated this connection as formed by an elongated slot 21 provided at the end of the link 26. The depending arm: 25 of the bell ,crank I8 may be a single member or may be bifurcated, but in either event, a pin 28 is provided which is relatively slidable in the slot 21. l

Aspreviously stated, it is desirable that thisY type of signal'be inaudible, and for this purpose I provide at each end of the slot 21 bumper x members 29 which may be resilient, such as ruball of the requirements outlined above. The

signal is inaudible, and it ls preferred to soment between the pin 28 and the ends of the proportion the parts andto select` the power. of the motor means thatthe drivers attention is attracted in what maybe termed a gradual manner. As is readily apparent, the signal in no way interferes with the operationr of the. A'

vehicle, and if the driver desires, he Amay conv tinue above a predetermined speed for long Aintervals. Y Y s Referring now particularly to Figure 1, I have illustrated at I0 an accelerator pedal Vcompris-V ing Ya metallic frame |I which is generally rectangular and of substantial'thickness. Plate. I0

hassecured thereto, orV formed integraltherewith, a lug I2 which is adapted to cooperate with a bracket lI3 for supporting the pedal I0 for movement about a pivot axis indicated at I4. VAt the Vpresent time it is common practice to provide a relatively thick tread portion indicated Yat I5, which may be Vof va suitable rubber composition. The -tread I5 may conveniently be vulcanized in place about the frame II.

""According to the present invention, I provide '-an aperture IS'in they frar'nel Hfthrough which the signal is imparte'df As shownin Figure 1, I Vprovidea relatively small, lightweight, pref- `erably metallic, plate I1 which is imbedded in the upper surface of the tread I5. As shown is ush with the upper surface of the tread I5. If desired, the upper surface of the-treadIS and the plate I1 may becorrugated, or otherwise provided with a non-slip surface;

' Inorder to transmit hammer-likeV blows or impulses to the foot of the operator, I provide a bell crank I8, pivoted toa bracket IScarried by the underside of Vthe'frame II. The bell 4 f :ranli I8 hasformed at one end thereof anupper; projection 20 which is adapted to be se- Ycured to the underside of the plate I1 ,asby a. bracket 2|. I have indicated thev connection between the bracket 2| and the portion 20 as being a pivotalA connection, although this is not strictly necessary since 4the movement ofr the stances, depending upon the attitudes of the pedal vin use, it may be desirable to employ a spring indicated at 24 for moving -the plunger 23 to one limitingp'ositionQ The spring 24 will be either a compression or tension spring, de-

pending upon the position of the plunger 23 relative to the windings 22a of the solenoid coil.

Ve plunger 23 is connected to a depending ber, or which may be formed of leather, or the like. These bumper members prevent engageslot from causing a sound which would be audible-,to the ,occupants of the vehicle.

The solenoid is supplied with interrupted current from a storage'battery or other source ofv link 26 to the bell crank I8 until the pin 28 is engaged bythe bumper 29. At this time .'404 in this' figure, the upper surface of the plate I1y `motor vehicle. SolenoidV 22 hasa plunger lor 'core 23 axially movable therein. In some inplunger 23 has a' substantial momentum, and

the result willbe Aa hammer-like blow imparted upwardly tofthe plate I1 and thence to the foot of theoperator through the lever I8.V

In Figure 2 I have illustrated a somewhat modied construction, which will not be described in detail except to point outthe points of dilerence. YIn`thismodiiication the pedal 30 is provided witha tread portion 3| of rubber, or the' like. Al plate'` 32, which preferably rel' atively small and of metal,Y is completely imbedded within the tread 3|.' 'By this arrangement the upper surface of the tread is completely covered with the tread material, which may'bevformed to f' have anti-skid characteristics or to presenta pleasing appearance, as desired. The remaining* parts are precisely as described in Figure l, and accordingly are not described in detail.'

AIn Figure 3 I have illustrated a somewhat different embodiment of my invention. In this gure a pedal `4IJ comprisesa relatively heavy at metallic plate 4|, apertured as indicated at 42.- The plate 40 is pivotally mounted at `its rear end 'as'indicated at 43. `A tread 44, which isfpreferablya rubber composition of substantial thickness, overlies and envelops the edges of plate 4|. In this figure I have illustrated the tread as slightly recessed, as indicated at 45, but the provision of this recess is by no means essential; On the other hand,'in some instances member may engage directly against the bottom arm25 of the bell crank I8 by a linkv 26. In this 75 of the foot of the operator. I have not illustrated such Va construction, since it will be read- Yily apparent that it would differ only from the construction of Figure 3 by the provision of an Vaperture. rather than arecess 45.

Carried by the underside of the plate 4| is a solenoid housing 46 in which is a winding 41.

Vertically movable in the winding 41 isA a core or plunger comprising an upper section 48 formed ed for return of the plunger.

of a non-ferrous material, a lower portion 49 formed of ferrous material and an upper striker portion 159, which is preferably of a resilient nature, such for example as leather, rubber,'or the like. With this construction, it is normally unnecessary to provide the tension spring for returning the plunger to lowermost position,V

but if desired such a spring may be employed.

Upon energization of the coil 41, the plunger is projected forcibly upward so that the striker portion 56 engages the rubber of the tread 44 directly over the aperture 42. The rubber,

andin addition reduces the power necessary for its operation. v

While I have illustrated vand described several specific embodiments of'my invention, it will be apparent to thosey skilled in the art that various additions, modifications; omissions, combinations and substitutions may be made which will bewithin the spirit and scope of my invention as being resilient, readily transmits the impulse to the foot of the operator. In the event that an aperture is provided, the plunger` 50 strikes directly againstthe foot of the operator. It will be understood that when an aperture completely through the pedal structure is employed, the plunger will be of a size such that it cannot pass completely through the aperture.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 4, I have illustrated a pedal 60 comprising a metal rame 6l having an aperture 62 formed therein. Directly over the Vaperture 52 and imbedded in the rubber composition of a tread member 63 is a metal plate 64. A solenoid 65 is secured to the underside of the frame 6i and is provided with a core or plunger S6. Also' carried by a bracket 69 at the underside of the frame 6I is a bell crank lever 61 pivoted as indicated at 68 to the bracket 55). The bell crank 61 is provided with a relatively heavy hammer portion 10, which may, if desired, be provided with a striker pad 'Il of leather or the like. The plunger 66 is connected to one arm ofthe bell crank 61 by a link 12.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is obvious from the foregoing description, but will be briefly reviewed. Intermittent energization of the solenoid causes reciprocation of the plunger 66, a suitable spring being provid- The reciprocating motion of the plunger is transmitted to the bell crank 6'! by the link 'l2 and is transformed` into a substantially vertical striking movement of the hammer portion 10. Provision of the pad 1| insures that the resulting signal will be inaudible. The plate Ed-being mounted in the resilient rubber composition of the tread 63, readily transmits the impulses to the foot of the operator.

It is desirable that the arrangement of parts be such that the impulses will be substantially spaced. It has been found that where the frequency is such that a substantially vibratory action results, the signal loses much of its effectiveness. As previously stated, it is oftentimes desirable to continue operation of the vehicle above the predetermined speed for a substantial interval. Under thesel circumstances it has been found thatl thedriver of the vehicle soon becomes accustomed to the vibration unlessit isrof the undesirable intensity.

I have illustrated four specific embodiments of my invention, all of which are characterized by their simplicity and by the fact that; they may be carried out with a minimum of alterations on conventional automotive structures. All are further characterized by the provision of an aperture in the frame of the pedal so that the signal will be transmitted with substantially increased intensity therethrough. While it is of course possible to provide a signal of this broad type, operable through the relatively heavy frame of the pedal, the present constructionproduces a much more effective signal and, due tothe use of lighter parts, reduces the costof the device,VV

defined by the appended claims.

`What I claim 'asmy invention is:

1. In a signal, a pedal having an elongated metal frame and a resilient tread upon the upper surface of said frame and bonded thereto, the frame having an opening through the bottom thereof to the resilient tread, a solenoid on the underside of the pedal with the axis thereof substantially parallel to the elongated frame of the pedal, and means actuable by the solenoid for transmitting warning impulses to the resilient tread, including a member movable in the opening aforesaid in the frame of the pedal.

2. In a signal, a pedal'having an elongated metal framev and a resilient tread upon the upper surface of said frame and bonded thereto, the frame having an opening through the bottom thereof to the resilient tread, a solenoid on the underside of the pedal with the axis thereof substantially parallel to the elongated frame of the pedal, and means actuable by the solenoid for transmitting warning impulses to the resilient tread, including a bell crank lever having an arm thereof extending upwardly in the opening aforeupon the underside of the frame of the pedal and having one arm thereof extending upwardly in the opening in said frame, and an operating link terminally connected to the solenoid and to the other'arm of the bell crank lever.

4. In a signal, a pedal having an elongated y metal frame and a resilient tread upon the upper surface of Said frame .and bonded'thereto, `a metal plate embedded in said resilient tread, the frame being provided beneath the embedded plate with an opening extending from the underside of the frame to the resilient tread, the tread having a recess registering With and extending from the opening in the frame to the embedded plate, a solenoid on the underside of the pedal, and means actuable by the solenoid for transmitting warning impulses to the resilient tread, includingV a member movable in the opening in the frame of the pedal and in the recess in the tread.

5. In a signal, a pedal having an elongated metal frame and a resilient tread upon the upper surfaceof said frame and bonded thereto, a metal *Y plate embedded in said resilient tread, the frame being provided beneath the embedded plate with 4an opening extending from the underside of the frame to the resilient tread, the tread having a recess registering with and extending from the opening in the frame to the embedded plate,V a solenoid on the underside of the pedal, and means actuable by the solenoid for transmitting warning impulses to the resilient tread, including'a bellr crank lever having an arm thereof extending upwardly in the opening in the frame of the pedal vand in the recess in the tread and operatively connected to the embedded plate.

6. VIna signal, va pedal having an elongated metal frame and a, resilient tread upon the upper smenoia. on the underside of the pedaLyand means actuable by the solenoid for transmitting warning impulses to the resilient tread, including a bellV cranklever pivoted upon the underside ofthe frame of the pedal and having one armrthereof extending upwardly in the opening in said frame and in the recess in the tread and operatively lconnected to the embedded plate, and an operatingV link terminally connected to the solenoid and l1 0 tothe other arm -of the bell crank lever.

STUART H. CALDWELL. 

